But this is West Ham and those who watched from the top of the stand could only witness LS Lowry-type match stick men battle away against a side that revelled in a stadium where fans were noisy but distant.

That goes for both managers too, who had 30-yard walks to the touchline from their seats.

Boro loved the open spaces and the fact that fans are not breathing down their necks.

They attacked with gusto. Hammers often needed to hoof clear their attacks, far removed from days when they attacked from every position.

Payet was a shadowy figure, drifting in an out of the action and you wonder if his head has been turned by interest from other clubs.

His goal was either a perfect response to those suggestions – or a calling card when the January transfer window opens.

Much was also expected of Gokham Tore but he was substituted at half-time.

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Boro were far better in the first half, moving the ball clinically and with precision. Hammers had to funnel back and rely on breaks which quickly fizzled out or were easily dealt with by Boro’s defence.

It took 40 minutes for West Ham to string together a move with any real menace and it ended with Noble shooting wide from 20 yards.

Then like London buses, another one arrived when Noble’s shot struck the crossbar virtually on the stroke of half-time from 20 yards.

Hammers can claim they had to re-group as early as the fifth minute when Sam Byram was carried off on a motorised stretcher with a hamstring injury.

But since the start of April it has been a long story of heartbreak for their fans, who have watched them concede 19 home goals, more than any other Premier League team in that period.

Facts hurt sometimes. Boro striker Jordan Rhodes was a constant thorn in the West Ham defence, shielding the ball well and laying off to team-mates eager to get forward.

Rhodes was instrumental in their goal. His 52nd minute effort was turned behind by Hammers keeper Adrian.

Viktor Fischer swung over the corner and Christian Stuani met it with a powerful header that Noble tried to hack clear but TV footage showed had crossed the line.

Payet’s goal was a classic.

He collected the ball on the touchline, cut inside, avoided five tackles before scoring.

It was out of place in what had gone before.

It eased the pressure on Bilic – but there’s still much to do to convince fans a corner has been turned.